Our most recommended things to do in Gatlinburg

Dollywood Theme Parks 1 or 2-Day Entry Ticket

1. Dollywood Theme Parks 1 or 2-Day Entry Ticket

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with a 1- or 2-day ticket to Dollywood Theme Park and Dollywood's Splash Country, two of the most popular attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge. Choose between the 1-day ticket to discover Dollywood Theme Park only or the 2-day 2-park ticket for an immersive experience into Dollywood Theme Park and Dollywood's Splash Country. Explore Dollywood, a 150-acre park home to roller coasters, live shows, and interactive activities with the 1-day ticket. Discover Wildwood Grove, a land of adventure featuring 11 themed attractions, including a suspended family roller coaster, a treetop tower, and the world's fastest wooden coaster. With the 2-day, 2-park ticket, get access to Dollywood's Splash Country, a 35-acre outdoor water park with high-speed water slides, lazy rivers, splash pools, and wave pools. Enjoy various water slides and attractions, from the TailSpin Racer to the RiverRush, Tennessee's first water coaster. Use your 2-day ticket to explore both parks and spread your adventure out over 2 days. Hop between Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country with ease via the complimentary parking lot trams. At the end of your adventure, leave with unforgettable memories and stories to share. Continue exploring the Smoky Mountains or head back to your hotel.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! NOTE: This 47-mile-long tour covers the essentials of the Great Smoky Mountains in 5-6 hours. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discover why it’s the most visited National Park in the country. Buckle up and prepare for a deep dive into the most famous stretch of the Appalachians. Enjoy a flexible route that allows you to take all the time you need to admire the timeless wonders of the mountains. Drive through the scenic mountains and hear all about parts of Cherokee history, like the ancient Cherokee monarchy and the revolutionaries who fought against it. Get detailed accounts of Cherokee ancestral legends, from the great buzzard who shaped the Smoky Mountains from clay to the witch whose droplets of blood bloom into stalks of corn. Experience animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms. Be pointed towards some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the park. Gaze at the majestic Rainbow Falls, the breath-taking 360-degree views atop Clingmans Dome, and hear about the deep-rooted history of the Elys Mill. Learn about the complex flora and fauna which call the mountains home. Get to know the creatures of Cades Cove and learn how wildfires form an integral part of the vast and interconnected ecosystem. As you drive, audio stories will automatically pop up and start playing, allowing you to keep your attention on the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

Gatlinburg: Ghosts of the Smokies Haunted Walking Tour

3. Gatlinburg: Ghosts of the Smokies Haunted Walking Tour

Explore the rocky past of “The Gateway to the Smokies" in the town of Gatlinburg which dazzles visitors with a Skylift, gold panning, and log cabin pancakes. Beneath the family-friendly facade, this former frontier town is steeped in violence, greed, and heartbreak. Meet your guide at the Gatlinburg Space Needle, where a horrific accident claimed a young man’s life in 1991. From there, see seven other historic, haunted locations, including the bone-chilling White Oak Flats Cemetery. Scan the cemetery for the infamous Gatlinburg Witch; uncover the terrifying power of the Cliff Branch River, and find out why no one wants to book Room 11 at the Gatlinburg Inn. Along the way, you’ll delve into the tragic history of westward expansion, slavery, and the Civil War. Book the extended tour to visit four additional stops. If you think you know Gatlinburg, you haven’t heard the spirits’ side of the story. Step into the shadows. They’re waiting.

From Hartford: Upper Pigeon River White Water Rafting Tour

4. From Hartford: Upper Pigeon River White Water Rafting Tour

Go rafting on the Upper Pigeon River and combine whitewater action with epic mountain scenery, great for visitors looking to get outdoors. This guided adventure from Hartford is an accessible option for guests staying in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, or the national park in Eastern Tennessee. Meet the guide at NOC's Pigeon River Outpost in Hartford. After a brief orientation and video, get geared up with a life jacket and paddles and load onto the big blue bus to shuttle to the river put in. Once in the raft, an experienced guide explains the rafting lingo and what to expect. Then go down the river, paddling through bouncy waves, cool mountain water, and fun rapids. With nearly continuous Class II-III+ rapids like Lost Guide and Accelerator and views into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Upper Pigeon is a truly memorable experience.

Knoxville: Pigeon Forge Wine and Moonshine Tour with Tasting

5. Knoxville: Pigeon Forge Wine and Moonshine Tour with Tasting

Embark on a fun and educational adventure into the Smoky Mountains for guided liquor tastings. Sip on some moonshine, the drink that captures the deep-rooted culture, tradition, and history of Tennessee. Additionally, learn about other locally-crafted drinks, such as wine and whiskey. Travel 30 miles outside of Knoxville to the picturesque town of Pigeon Forge. Visit 2 popular wineries and 2 distilleries. Regardless of your experience level, you'll surely learn something new at each guided visit. Experience East Tennessee's sweet, red, and white wines with unique tastings. Sample 4 wines at your first stop and up to 10 wines and spirits at the second. Watch the production and bottling process. Lastly, discover the true magic of moonshine and try up to 8 samples with all kinds of flavors.

Great Smoky Mountains NP & Cades Cove Self-Guided Tour

6. Great Smoky Mountains NP & Cades Cove Self-Guided Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 72+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Great Smoky and Cades Cove Bundle in 4-5 hours. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains at your own pace with a self-guided and self-driving tour. Hike to Alum Cave, enjoy a panoramic view from Charles Overlook, and discover Cades Coves from the comfort of your own car. Drive to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to start your journey. After exploring the Visitor Center, head past the Mingus Mill, a remnant of a once-thriving town. As you drive to Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, hear accounts of the Cherokee people who once lived here. Learn about their legends and their struggle to hold onto their land. Once you arrive, enjoy a meditative stroll through nature. Hop back into your car and head to Charles Webb Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the park. Once you’ve snapped some stunning photos, continue toward Clingman’s Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies, for more unparalleled views of the mountains. Continue to the trail for Alum Cave, one of the most popular hikes in the park. If you wish, take the moderate 4.4-mile roundtrip trail for beautiful panoramas and fascinating rock formations. After your hike, drive to Chimney Tops Overlook, offering more stunning mountain views. Next, enjoy an easy wilderness walk at Balsam Point. As you continue past yet another incredible vista and another secluded walkway, hear little-known park history. Jump back in your car and drive towards Gatlinburg, stopping on the way to check out the pristine Cataract Falls. In Gatlinburg, pass the famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Drive past Ogle Place, an old-timey homestead dating back to the 1800s, before arriving at Rainbow Falls. Continue your drive past several more waterfalls and the historic cabins of Ephraim Bales and Reagan Tub, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Finally, finish your Great Smoky National Park tour with a visit to the old Ely’s Mill, which is still in operation today. Start the second part of your combination tour, discovering Cades Coves, just west of Gatlinburg. From there, continue west toward the scenic loop. The first landmark on your route is John Oliver Place, once home to some of the first homesteaders to make a living here. After that, pass 3 churches dating back to the 1800s and uncover the devastating impact of the Civil War on this community. Drive to Elijah Oliver Place, a beautifully-preserved homestead offering an authentic look at early pioneer life. If you wish to stretch your legs, hike to Abrams Falls, a secluded, powerful waterfall. Next, drive to Tipton Place. Finally, reach the Carter Shields Cabin, another idyllic homestead from a bygone era. Finish your tour at the start of the loop as you hear about the last family to call the cove home.

Gatlinburg: Impossibilities Magic and Mind-Reading Show

7. Gatlinburg: Impossibilities Magic and Mind-Reading Show

Take part in an interactive magic and mind-reading show led by world-famous magician Erik Dobell. Experience his critically acclaimed show, that's been performed all over the world, right in the heart of Gatlinburg. Get your camera ready, as someone in your party may get to be part of the spectacle. Step into the Gatlinburg Space Needle's intimate 89-seat Iris Theater for an evening of mind-blowing tricks and riddles. Bring the whole family along for some stunning magic, reality-shattering mind-reading, and hilarious mayhem. Seize this incredible opportunity to watch the master magician that's traveled from Las Vegas to South Korea, performing shows for audiences and companies such as the NFL, Macy's, and Goodyear.

Smoky Mountains: Sightseeing Flex Pass

8. Smoky Mountains: Sightseeing Flex Pass

Discover the thrilling, dazzling, historic, and adventurous with a Tennessee Sightseeing Flex Pass. Access top attractions and tours throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the scenic Smokies all in one pass. Take advantage of full admission to attractions or save up to 30% on entry costs. Let your Flex Pass take you into the great outdoors and see the natural splendor of the Smokey Mountains up close and personal: select between a 3-attraction or a 5-attraction pass and choose what you want to enjoy when you arrive. Coast down whitewater in a raft or take in the sights from a thrilling vantage point on the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Ride. Have your breath taken away from the top of Gatlinburg Space Needle. Experience the awe-inspiring vision of the Great Smoky Mountains, where colorful fog-rich forests surround majestic Appalachian peaks this renowned Tennessee UNESCO World Heritage Site. Partner Tennessee’s exciting outdoor marvels with family-friendly and group-friendly attractions. Play around at the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum or Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud. Learn the history of the world’s most famous tragic transatlantic ocean liner at the Titanic Museum Attraction, then catch a dazzling magic show at Wonderworks. Whatever activities you choose, enjoy the convenience of an all-in-one pass. Top Attractions: • Best of Smoky Mountain Special Tour - Rocky Top Tours • Beyond the Lens • Escape Game Pigeon Forge • Smoky Mountain Rafting - Upper Pigeon River• Smoky Mountain Rafting - Lower Pigeon River • Titanic Attraction • Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud • Dolly’s Rags to Riches - Rocky Top Tours • Rocky Top Mountain Coaster • Gatlinburg Pinball Museum • Rainforest Adventure Zoo • Wonderworks • The Best of Three Cities Tour - Rocky Top Tours

Great Smoky Mountains: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

9. Great Smoky Mountains: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

Don’t miss a thing as your favorite audio tour narrator guides you throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to not-to-be-missed viewpoints, along with fascinating stories, tips and directions. Follow the suggested itineraries, or divide the commentary and create your own half, full or multi day sightseeing trips. Enjoy the many historic log buildings, wide range of wildlife in diverse ecosystems, extensive hiking trails, and stunning viewpoints from scenic drives and mountain peaks. Major Highlights: Alum Cave Cable Mill Cades Cove Chimney Tops Clingmans Dome Gatlinburg Grotto Falls John Oliver Place Laurel Falls Mingus Mill Morton Tunnel Newfound Gap Oconaluftee Farm Museum The Sinks Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Sugarlands Marvel at the 17,000 species of abundant wildlife from tiny fireflies to colorful and giant salamanders. Witness over 240 species of birds, including woodpeckers, owls and warblers, elk, deer, foxes, bobcats black bears. Explore Cades Cove with its collection of historic homesteads, preserved buildings like Cable Grist Mill and churches. Pause in this scenic valley which is also one of the best and most reliable areas to see wildlife. Witness blue fog rising from the valleys at Newfound Gap and discover the reason why the range is called the Smoky Mountains. Continue on climbing the spur road to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in Tennessee before taking a trip to the flying saucer-style viewing platform. Traverse the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Discover a landscape of lush hardwood forest, numerous waterfalls including Rainbow Falls and the Place of a Thousand Drips, as well as historic cabins like Noah “Bud” Ogle’s, grist mills, and other preserved buildings.

Nashville: Access Pass to Top Attractions

10. Nashville: Access Pass to Top Attractions

The Nashville Explorer Pass offers you a selection of over 10 must-see attractions, landmarks, and tours for one discounted pre-paid price. Save up to 10% compared to regular admission, have everything arranged in advance, and get exclusive extras. Your pass features special perks including pre-paid admissions and moonshine tastings while helping you make the most of your Nashville trip and save even more along the way. Plus, there's no need to decide what you’ll do or see in advance, and you can take up to one year after purchasing the pass to make your first visit. Choose between a Circle Pass, Music Pass, or Fun Pass: Circle Pass This pass includes access to Nashville’s Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, National Museum of African America Music, and the choice of Cline or Cash Museum and Moonshine tasting. Music Pass This pass includes access to Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, choice of RCA Studio B or Hatch Show Print Studio (w/ Hatch Souvenir Poster), Cash + Cline Museum and Moonshine tasting. Fun Pass This pass includes access to Nashville's Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Choice of Cash or Cline Museum, choice of RCA Studio B or Hatch Show Print Studio (w/Hatch Souvenir Poster) and Moonshine tasting.

Add dates

Things to do in
Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg
14 activities found
Sort by:

Go beyond Gatlinburg

Explore all

Frequently asked questions about Gatlinburg

What top attractions are a must-see in Gatlinburg?

The must-see attractions in Gatlinburg are:

What are the best deals and discounts on activities and attractions in Gatlinburg?

Other Sightseeing Options in Gatlinburg

Want to discover all there is to do in Gatlinburg? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Gatlinburg

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 71 reviews

give your self time to set it up and allow it to synch. i put it on apple play and the entire vehicle enjoyed the history and guidance. excellent. program. It triggers when you reach a key point and is very informative.

It was amazing we did it twice the view was beautiful don’t leave too late you will miss out a lot. It’s most definitely a two hour ride

Randy was the best!!! He’s like a long lost friend - what a great day with lots of laughs, wine and moonshine! Cheers!

Great time and lucky to have great company. Learned alot about moonshine, and got to sightsee too.

Great tour guide "Randy" couldn't ask for better!!!! Even with a little rain, had a Great day!!!!